The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Julio Urias off the 10-day injured list ahead of the series opener at Petco Park, may see Joe Kelly return Wednesday, then could very well welcome back Mookie Betts for the finale against the San Diego Padres.
Betts has been on the IL since Aug. 11 because of right hip inflammation that upon meeting with specialists in Los Angeles, was discovered to be a result of a bone spur. Betts received a second cortisone injection resumed baseball activities last week before playing in a simulated game.
“He hit a couple homers. I talked to him on my way down, and he felt good coming out of it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s going to do some more simulated stuff [Wednesday] and if that goes well, hopefully we can activate him Thursday.
“He’s in a really good spot. As good as he’s been in all year.”
The optimism and excitement Roberts expressed was similar to a message from Betts last week. Whether running sprints, fielding fly balls in right field, or going through baserunning drills, his troublesome hip remained a non-issue.
“It’s the first time I’ve felt normal in a long time, so super excited,” Betts said. “I’ve done some measures to help it, and it seems like it’s working. We’ll just keep going in the right direction. … The pain that was going on then, I couldn’t really take that.
“That locked me up pretty good. Little pain that comes and goes now, that’s fine. I can work with that.”
Betts battled hip injury all season
Betts’ right hip trouble did not become public knowledge until he was removed from the Dodgers’ second game after the All-Star break. Up to that point it was believed he skipped the Midsummer Classic because of lingering left shoulder and back trouble.
“It’s been like this since the first week of the season,” Betts recently revealed of his hip. “That’s why I said it’s been so long since I felt normal. It’s just good to feel like me again.”
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